Pivotally articulated container

ABSTRACT

A container formed in articulated sections pivotally hinged about fold lines to provide ready access to end panels of retained packages for price-marking purposes. The container itself and a center separator are each formed from a one-piece sheet blank.

1111a States Patent 1 1 1 "3,872,965 Tauh Mar. 25, 1975 [54] PIVOTALLYARTICULATED CONTAINER 2,324,436 7/1943 Snyder 206/45.1l 2,592,678 4/1952Fuerst 206/4511 [75] Inventor: Ronald Hlghland Park 2,671,584 3/1954Taylor, Jr. 206/45.14 x [73 Assigneez T Family Trust U/A, Chicago2,707,587 5/1955 W1ttstem 229/34 HW I. 2,997,222 8/1961 Sperry 206/4518X 3,305,078 2/1967 Ferrera .1 206/44 R [22] Filed: Nov. 17, 1972 21 APPL307 449 Primary ExaminerGeorge E. Lowrance Assistant Examiner-Steven E.Lipman An- ,A r, F -K ,K &Bk- 52 US. Cl 206/44, 206/4511, 206/4518 or megan er [51] Int. Cl B65d 5/48, B65d 81/36 [58] Field of Search 206/44R, 44 B, 45.11, [57] RA gg g 'i f if 3 2 5 3 A container formedinarticulated sections pivotally 5 S hinged about fold lines to provideready access to end panels of retained packages for price-markingpurposes. The container itself and a center separator are [56]References C'ted each formed from a one-piece sheet blank.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Hoim 206/45.1l

PIVOTALLY ARTICULATED CONTAINER The present invention relates tomerchandise containers formed from corrugated cardboard, paperboard, andthe like. These containers are adapted to hold articles during shipping,storage and display. At the point of purchase in retail stores it isnecessary, in conventionalcontainers, to open each box by either tearingor cutting to expose price panels of every article so that price-markingindicia may be applied. When the articles are arranged in more than onelayer, time is consumed in shifting units in outer layers, to provideaccess to price panels in less accessible layers.

The usual procedure for price-marking merchandise shipped in cartonsinvolves opening closure flaps at an end of the container. Cartons mayalso be opened by cutting with razor blades and other sharp objects, butthis poses a danger to soft packages covered by cardboard, cellophane;plastic film and the like. Merchandise containers often incorporate tearstrips which are pulled to separate the container into sections, thusincreasing the number of accessible package price panels. But thesestrips are expensive, and when they are made of fragile materials suchas cardboard they are unsatisfactory since excessive care is required toprevent tear strip breakage. After pricing, units which have been markedare usually manually removed from their container and stacked onshelves. In some cases, goods are displayed for sale in their originalshipping containers. The latter procedure eliminates the step ofmanually stocking units on shelves, but when price panels of each unitare not readily accessible the step of shifting layers to provide accessmust stillbe performed so that each unit may be priced.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a containerfor shipping and storing merchandise in which price-marking indicia canbe applied quickly to price panels ofpackage units arranged in severallayers or rows, without tearing or cutting the container to provideaccess. The container of the present invention is preformed in sectionsadapted to be pivotallyhinged about fold lines, thus providing readyaccess to end panels of packages on either side of the fold lines.

It is a related object of the invention to provide a container which isconstructed from a one-or two-piece blank, without need for staples,glue or other external fastening means. The preferred embodiment is alsoinexpensive to manufacture, since it is constructed from low'costmaterials such as cardboard, and because no tear strips or tapes areneeded.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a container whichallows ready access to a plurality of layers or rows of packages, andwhich is adaptable to a wide variety of sizes and numbers of packages.

It is another object of the invention to provide a container having aone-piece internal separator for preventing shifting displacement ofadjacent rows of packages against each other.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a shipping containerin which articles can also be displayed at the point of purchase.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromreading the following specification in conjunction withthe drawing, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the containerof the invention showing a divided inner section flanked by pivotalsections;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with the endsections pivotally displaced;

FIG. 3 is aperspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in a partlyassembled state and indicating the mode of assembly used;

FiG. 4 is a perspective view of the container with a central and an endsection filled with packaged articles, and illustrating the manner inwhich pivotal displacement of the end section exposes the ends of thepackaged articles for convenient price marking;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 taken alongthe line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view ofthe container of FIG. 1 taken alongthe line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the planar blank used in pro-- ducing thecontainer of FIG 1, dotted lines indicating fold lines;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the blank used as the divider for the centersection of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of the containerof the invention, in which there is no center divider between the twopivotal sections.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, there is shown a container of apreferred embodiment of the invention which is a tray-like rectangularbox 11 having a floor 12, end walls 13 and 14, and a pair of side walls15 and 16. Fold lines 17 extending laterallly across the floor 12between the side walls 15 and 16 divide the box into an intermediatesection 18 and two end sections or compartments 19 and 20 adjacent theintermediate section 18. Each side wall is divided into distinct panelsby a generally vertical slit 21 extending from an outer edge 22 to abase terminal 23 of the wall, said terminal 23 corresponding to alateral limit of a fold line 17. A verpartments 18aand 18b. Theseparator 25 also divides I the entire box 11 into equal halves.

Flanges 27 are integrally formed with and are generally coextensive witheach side wall l5'and 16. The flanges 27 are hinged along fold lines 22defining upper or outer edges of the side walls. The flanges 27 arehinged inwardly to overlie the side walls 15 and 16, forming slots 28coextensive with each flange 27. A downwardly pojecting tab or tab means29 projects from a free end of each flange 27. Slits 30 are cut into thelateral edges of the floor 12 at positions corresponding to the tabs 29.The flanges 27 are locked in place by seating of corresponding tabs 29and slits 30. The end walls 13 and 14 are each formed integrally with apair of flaps hinged along spaced fold lines to the end walls at theirlateral limits. The flaps 35 are adapted to engage slots 28 formedbetween the side walls 15 and 16 and their overlying flanges 27.

The separator 25 and fold lines 17 define base panels on the floor 12.Base panels 12a of the end sections 19 and 20 are each bounded by a foldline 17 and end wall l3 and 14, and the two side walls 15 and 16. Basepan els 12b in the intermediate sections 18a and 18b are each bounded bythe separator 25, a fold line 17, and the side walls 15 and 16, all asillustrated in FIG. 2.

The vertical separator 25 is formed from a single sheet folded uponitself to provide a double-webbed wall 25 extending transversely acrossthe intermediate section 18. Each web of the double-webbed wall isintegrally formed wiht a transversely extending tab or wing tab 26. Whenthe container is assembled, the tabs 27 extend in opposite directionsand normally to the wall 25. The tabs 26 project into and are heldwithin slots 28 defined by side walls and 16 and overlying flanges 27 ofthe intermediate section 18, so that the separator is secured againstlateral displacement or shifting. The vertical separator 25 serves tomaintain articles 40 held in the container 10 in proper alignment duringshipment and storage. The articles are thereby cushioned against damagecaused by shifting of adjacent rows of merchandise 40.

Operation of the container 10 is best understood upon reference to FIG.4. The container or box 11 is provided with a cover (not shown) in orderto protect and secure the merchandise 40 retained therein duringshipment and storage. When the outer covering or wrapper is removed, itis generally desired to apply price-marking indicia to an end panel 41of each package 40. Access to opposed end panels 41 is obtained merelyby pivotally swinging an end section 19 away from an adjacentintermediate section 1812 to effect an arcuate separation of adjacentrows of merchandise. Every unit is thereby exposed without removing anyof the articles 40 from their container. When there are more rows ofmerchandise than shown in FIG. 4, additional fold lines and sections areprovided.

The container 11 is constructed from the one-piece blank shown in FIG.7. A one-piece blank for the center separator 25 is shown in FIG. 8.Cardboard, paperboard, pliable plastics, and other materials in sheetform are suitable for the blanks.

The center separator may be omitted entirely in order to reduce weightand cost, as shown in FIG. 9.

Since many modifications of the above invention are possible, it is notintended that it be limited to the embodiment described. The true scopeof the invention is defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A shipping and display container adapted to hold a multiplicity ofpackaged units in an organized array,

said container comprising a plurality of linearly disposed,article-housing sections including a pair of walled end sections, awalled intermediate section therebetween and an articulated uniplanarfloor beneath each said sections and integrally formed therewith, eachsaid end sections being joined to said intermediate sectionthereadjacent along a laterally extending fold line formed in saidarticulated floor whereby said end sections are each pivotal downwardlywith respect to said intermediate section along said fold line,

said end sections and said intermediate section each being adapted tohold a row of articles extending thereacross, whereby upon pivotalshifting of said end sections about each said fold line in saidarticulated floor, facing end panels of any articles contained inrespective said sections are exposed and rendered readily accessible forapplication of price marking indicia thereto.

2. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein each said end sectionsand said intermediate section include a pair of opposed side walls, andwherein each said end section of said container includes an end walljoined to said floor and to each said side walls of said end sections.

3. The container as set forth in claim 2, wherein said container isformed from a single blank, and wherein each said end sections includesa. a pair of flanges integral with respective each said side walls ofsaid end sections and hinged thereto along a fold line defining anoutwardly facing upper edge of said side walls of said end sections,each said flanges extending downwardly of said upper edge and overlyingeach said side walls of said end sections in proximity thereto, wherebyeach said flanges and respective each said side walls of said endsections define aslot therebetween coextensive with said flanges,

b. means securing said flanges in place, and

c. a pair of flaps integral with each said end walls and hinged theretoalong spaced fold lines defining lateral limits thereof;

each said flaps extending generally normally to said end walls toparallel said side walls of said end sections and to project into acorresponding said slot, thereby to interlock said floor, said endwalls, and said side walls of each end section of said container into astable, unitary structure.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means securingeach said flanges in place comprise slits formed in said floor adjacentlateral limits thereof and paralleling lateral edges of said floor,

and further comprising downwardly projecting tab means-integrally formedwith each said flanges at downwardly directed free ends thereof, eachsaid tab means projecting into and seating within a corresponding saidslit in said floor to lock said flanges in place.

5. A product storage and display container adapted to retain a pluralityof articles in an organized arrangement,

said container comprising a plurality of linearly disposed,article-housing sections including a pair of walled end sections, awalled intermediate section therebetweenfand an articulated floortherebeneath and integrally formed therewith, each said end sectionsbeing'joined to said intermediatesection thereadjacent along a laterallyextending fold line formed in said articulated floor, whereby said endsections are each pivotal downwardly with respect to said intermediatesection along said fold line, each said end sections comprising a. abase panelconstituting a segment of said articulated floor, and a pairof laterally spaced side walls and a connecting end wall, all integralwith said base panel and extending upwardly of and norm ally thereto,

b. a pair of flanges integral with respective each said side walls andhinged thereto along a fold line defining an outwardly facing edge ofsaid side walls, each said flanges extending inwardly of said forwardedge and overlying respective each said end walls in proximity thereto,whereby each said flanges and respective each said side walls deflne aslottherebetween coextensive with said flanges,

0. means securing said flanges in place to parallel generally saidsidewalls, and

d. a pair of flaps integral with said end walls and hinged thereto alongspaced fold lines defining lateral limits thereof, each said flapsextending normally to said end walls and projecting into a respectivesaid slot between said side walls and said overlying flanges of eachsaid end section to provide an interlocked, stable structure;

said intermediate section comprising e. a base panel constituting asegment of said articulated floor and having lateral limitscorresponding to and in line with lateral limits of said base panels ofeach said end section thereadjacent, said base panel of saidintermediate section being interposed between and flanked by base panelsof said end sections and separated therefrom along fold lines in saidarticulated floor,

f. a pair of laterally spaced side walls integral with said base panelof said intermediate section and extending normally thereto at endsthereof,

g. a pair of flanges integral with respective said side walls and hingedthereto along a fold line defining an outwardly facing edge ofrespective said side walls, each said flanges extending inwardly of saidoutwardly facing edge and overlying vrespective each said side walls inproximity thereto, whereby each said flanges and respective each saidside walls define a slot therebetween coextensive with said flanges, and

h. means securing said flanges in place to parallel generally said endwalls;

each said end sections being pivotal with respect to said intermediatesection along a corresponding fold line in said floor, to effect anarcuate separation of and to provide access to ends of any articlescontained in said intermediate section to facilitate application ofprice marking indicia on the articles 6. The container as set forth inclaim 5, and further comprising separator means extending laterallyacross said intermediate section, to divide said intermediate sectioninto two compartments, and

means securing said separator means fixed in place. 7. The container asset-forth in claim 6, wherein said separator means comprises a. a sheetfolded closely upon itself to form an up standing double-webbed wallextending transversely across said intermediate section between saidside walls thereof and normally to the base panel thereof, to dividesaid section into two com partments each having an open end oppositesaid double-webbed wall, and b. wing tabs integrally formed at each endof each web of said double-webbed wall, pairs of said tabs at eachopposed end of said double-webbed wall extending in opposite directionsand normally to said wall; each said tabs projecting into and being heldwithin a corresponding said slot defined by respective said side wallsand said overlying flanges of said intermediate section to secure saidseparator means against shifting displacement.

=l k k

1. A shipping and display container adapted to hold a multiplicity ofpackaged units in an organized array, said container comprising aplurality of linearly disposed, article-housing sections including apair of walled end sections, a walled intermediate section therebetweenand an articulated uniplanar floor beneath each said sections andintegrally formed therewith, each said end sections being joined to saidintermediate section thereadjacent along a laterally extending fold lineformed in said articulated floor whereby said end sections are eachpivotal downwardly with respect to said intermediate section along saidfold line, said end sections and said intermediate section each beingadapted to hold a row of articles extending thereacross, whereby uponpivotal shifting of said end sections about each said fold line in saidarticulated floor, facing end panels of any articles contained inrespective said sections are exposed and rendered readily accessible forapplication of price marking indicia thereto.
 2. The container as setforth in claim 1, wherein each said end sections and said intermediatesection include a pair of opposed side walls, and wherein each said endsection of said container includes an end wall joined to said floor andto each said side walls of said end sections.
 3. The container as setforth in claim 2, wherein said container is formed from a single blank,and wherein each said end sections includes a. a pair of flangesintegral with respective each said side walls of said end sections andhinged thereto along a fold line defining an outwardly facing upper edgeof said side walls of said end sections, each said flanges extendingdownwardly of said upper edge and overlying each said side walls of saidend sections in proximity thereto, whereby each said flanges andrespective each said side walls of said end sections define a slottherebetween coextensive with said flanges, b. means securing saidflanges in place, and c. a pair of flaps integral with each said endwalls and hinged thereto along spaced fold lines defining Lateral limitsthereof; each said flaps extending generally normally to said end wallsto parallel said side walls of said end sections and to project into acorresponding said slot, thereby to interlock said floor, said endwalls, and said side walls of each end section of said container into astable, unitary structure.
 4. The structure as set forth in claim 3,wherein said means securing each said flanges in place comprise slitsformed in said floor adjacent lateral limits thereof and parallelinglateral edges of said floor, and further comprising downwardlyprojecting tab means integrally formed with each said flanges atdownwardly directed free ends thereof, each said tab means projectinginto and seating within a corresponding said slit in said floor to locksaid flanges in place.
 5. A product storage and display containeradapted to retain a plurality of articles in an organized arrangement,said container comprising a plurality of linearly disposed,article-housing sections including a pair of walled end sections, awalled intermediate section therebetween, and an articulated floortherebeneath and integrally formed therewith, each said end sectionsbeing joined to said intermediate section thereadjacent along alaterally extending fold line formed in said articulated floor, wherebysaid end sections are each pivotal downwardly with respect to saidintermediate section along said fold line, each said end sectionscomprising a. a base panel constituting a segment of said articulatedfloor, and a pair of laterally spaced side walls and a connecting endwall, all integral with said base panel and extending upwardly of andnormally thereto, b. a pair of flanges integral with respective eachsaid side walls and hinged thereto along a fold line defining anoutwardly facing edge of said side walls, each said flanges extendinginwardly of said forward edge and overlying respective each said endwalls in proximity thereto, whereby each said flanges and respectiveeach said side walls define a slot therebetween coextensive with saidflanges, c. means securing said flanges in place to parallel generallysaid side walls, and d. a pair of flaps integral with said end walls andhinged thereto along spaced fold lines defining lateral limits thereof,each said flaps extending normally to said end walls and projecting intoa respective said slot between said side walls and said overlyingflanges of each said end section to provide an interlocked, stablestructure; said intermediate section comprising e. a base panelconstituting a segment of said articulated floor and having laterallimits corresponding to and in line with lateral limits of said basepanels of each said end section thereadjacent, said base panel of saidintermediate section being interposed between and flanked by base panelsof said end sections and separated therefrom along fold lines in saidarticulated floor, f. a pair of laterally spaced side walls integralwith said base panel of said intermediate section and extending normallythereto at ends thereof, g. a pair of flanges integral with respectivesaid side walls and hinged thereto along a fold line defining anoutwardly facing edge of respective said side walls, each said flangesextending inwardly of said outwardly facing edge and overlyingrespective each said side walls in proximity thereto, whereby each saidflanges and respective each said side walls define a slot therebetweencoextensive with said flanges, and h. means securing said flanges inplace to parallel generally said end walls; each said end sections beingpivotal with respect to said intermediate section along a correspondingfold line in said floor, to effect an arcuate separation of and toprovide access to ends of any articles contained in said intermediatesection to facilitate application of price marking indicia on thearticles without necessitating physical removal thereof from saidcontainer.
 6. The container as seT forth in claim 5, and furthercomprising separator means extending laterally across said intermediatesection, to divide said intermediate section into two compartments, andmeans securing said separator means fixed in place.
 7. The container asset forth in claim 6, wherein said separator means comprises a. a sheetfolded closely upon itself to form an upstanding double-webbed wallextending transversely across said intermediate section between saidside walls thereof and normally to the base panel thereof, to dividesaid section into two compartments each having an open end opposite saiddouble-webbed wall, and b. wing tabs integrally formed at each end ofeach web of said double-webbed wall, pairs of said tabs at each opposedend of said double-webbed wall extending in opposite directions andnormally to said wall; each said tabs projecting into and being heldwithin a corresponding said slot defined by respective said side wallsand said overlying flanges of said intermediate section to secure saidseparator means against shifting displacement.